Course Title: Introduction to Genetics and Microbiology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Genetics and Microbiology

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.  


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2429

City Campus

Undergraduate

155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

ONPS2429

City Campus

Undergraduate

174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021

ONPS2429

City Campus

Undergraduate

535T Social Care and Health

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Rauha Quazi

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Coordinator Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: appointments by email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed knowledge:
Students are expected to have completed the specified study of Biological Principles (BIOL2365) and may be directed to amend their enrolment if this requirement is not met


Course Description

This course introduces you to the basic concepts of life at the cellular level and the principles  of inheritance. You will also learn the principles of microbiology and the practical skills utilised in a microbiology laboratory. It will provide you with the specialised knowledge and technical skills required for further learning in second year courses such as Microbiology, Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology & Genetics.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for AD012 Associate Degree in Applied Science:

1. Knowledge Capability: develop an understanding of appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied scientific knowledge with the ability to use and apply that knowledge in a wide range of situations, including new situations within the professional discipline.

2. Technical Capability: the selection and use of appropriate laboratory and other materials and equipment and the ability to employ them in a safe and responsible manner to achieve the desired outcome. This will include the ability to follow standard operating procedures

5. Teamwork Capability: Laboratory work, by its very nature, involves the ability to work well as part of a team. You will learn to contribute in a constructive manner to group and team activities and decision making processes


On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. explain inheritance at the molecular, chromosomal and organism levels
  2. describe the outcomes of genetic variations such as mutations and other genetic abnormalities
  3. describe the principles of sterilization and disinfection methods
  4. culture bacteria using aseptic techniques
  5. identify microorganisms based on staining characteristics, colony morphology and growth requirements
  6. work safely in a microbiology laboratory and record & analyse results


Overview of Learning Activities

  • Face to face teaching: to gain underpinning knowledge about genetics and microbiology.
  • Laboratory sessions: to develop laboratory skills in bacterial culture & identification techniques and reinforce the concepts of heredity and cell structures


Overview of Learning Resources

You will use the current laboratory manual for each practical class. You will need to access learning management system on a weekly basis to prepare for theory and practical classes. You will also need to read sections of the recommended textbook and may be referred to other resources available in the Library, such as videos and the subject learning guide.
http://rmit.libguides.com/appliedscience

There are no prescribed text books for this course.
Recommended texts:

  • Microbiology An Introduction. Tortora, Funke & Case
  • Human Heredity Principles & Issues. Cummings


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Early Assessment Task: Online Quiz
Weighting 5%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1,6

Assessment Task 2: Practical reports x 2
Weighting 20% each total 40%
This assessment task supports CLO 3, 4, 5 & 6

Assessment Task 3: Online Quizzes (two)
Weighting 25% total
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6

Assessment 4: Online logbook and laboratory analysis
Weighting 30% 
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6